Connecting Toronto

October 13, 2017

TTC family mourns Tom Dedes

The tragic loss of our TTC colleague, Tom Dedes, who was just 50 years old, has cast a very dark shadow over the entire TTC team this week.

Tom sadly lost his fight for life despite truly valiant work by doctors at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to save him. This has had a devastating impact on his family, his friends and his co-workers.

Tom gave 18 years of his life to serving the travelling public of Toronto, working in the closely knit family of track workers, all of whom are profoundly shocked by the loss of a friend.

Tom Dedes

No one should get killed or injured at work and we are working closely with the Ministry of Labour to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred. While accidents like this are very rare, we will take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.

Tragedies like this put everything else into perspective and our top priority is to ensure that we are there for Tom’s family and for his co-workers.

Rest in peace, Tom. You will never be forgotten at the TTC.

Countdown to Line 1 extension: 9 Weeks!

Station highlight: Downsview Park Station

Located inside Downsview Park on the south side of Sheppard Ave. W., Downsview Park Station is the first stop northbound on the Line 1 extension. The station will provide access to Downsview Park and will allow for more transit-oriented development in addition to its seamless connection to the GO Barrie commuter rail.

Artwork is integrated into glazing, terrazzo, ceramic wall tile, and aluminum ceiling finishes throughout the station in a collaborative effort by the artist and the architect.

The Line 1 extension to York Region opens December 17. For more information on the extension, visit spadina.ttc.ca

See what’s happening at Yorkdale Station

Join us at Yorkdale Station on Wed., Oct. 18 to see the exciting changes ahead. Construction is scheduled to begin on improvements to Yorkdale Station in spring 2018. Improvements will include a new elevator, improved lighting, signage and a redesign of the main entrance with glass canopy. The station will also feature new sheltered bike parking and full PRESTO access.

Date: Oct. 18, 2017

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Columbus Event Centre — Sala Caboto, 40 Playfair Ave.

Displays will be set up throughout the evening and TTC staff will be available to answer questions and receive comments.

For more information on the event or details on the project, visit projects.ttc.ca

Service Alerts

There is no planned subway closure this weekend. The Line 1 (St Clair – Lawrence) closure originally scheduled will be rescheduled. Subway service this weekend will operate as normal.

Queen Station fare gate construction

Queen Station will close at 11 p.m. for the next few weeks as crews continue installing new paddle-style fare gates with PRESTO.

Queen Station will operate on the following schedule:

Oct. 18 - 19 AND Oct. 23 to the end of November: The station will close early at 11 p.m. each night.

Oct. 20, 11 p.m. until Oct 23, 6 a.m.: The station will be closed for the weekend.

During the weekend and early closures, trains will bypass Queen Station in both directions.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work to modernize the TTC. For more on PRESTO and to see station construction schedules, visit ttc.ca

I began my career with the TTC 12 years ago in the Engineering Department and for the past nine years have been the Manager of Technical Review. My primary role is managing the technical design reviews for ongoing Metrolinx projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown, Finch West LRT and GO Regional Express Rail projects including SmartTrack, GO Electrification, MiWay/ GO Kipling Bus Terminal and the Oriole GO Station Relocation. The work TTC does in reviewing these design packages from other transit agencies, which spans many departments throughout our organization, makes me proud to be part of this amazing team. When I am not at work I love the time I spend with my family, including running around taking my two young kids to their extracurricular activities — swimming, karate, skating, gymnastics and soccer.